OBITUARY: Ruth Mary Johnson

Ruth Mary Johnson, 79, formerly of Zeigler, left this earth peacefully at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2015.

Ruth was born in Flint, Mich., on July 21, 1935, to the former Ira T. G. Wright and Sylva (Lynn) Wright. She held several jobs throughout her lifetime, but she most enjoyed the job of mom and granny. However, she was a very talented seamstress. At her daughter's request, she made 90 percent of her clothes until she graduated from high school.

She married Roger "Catfish" Johnson on March 25, 1955. He preceded her in death on Sept. 17, 2001. Together they spent parts of three decades working with the youth at Zeigler First Baptist Church. Their home was always open to the young people of their community.

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy (Gil) Swalls of Land O Lakes, Fla.; her son, Scott (Kimberly) Johnson of Harrisburg; her granddaughter, Samantha (Korey) Andrus of Henderson, Ky.; her great-granddaughter, Amelia "Mimi" Andrus; and her great-grandson, Raylan James Andrus. She is also survived by her sister, Georgia Rose of Flint, Mich.; a brother, Richard (Susan) Wright of Cookeville, Tenn.; a brother, David Wright of Cedar Springs, Mich.; and a brother, Phillip (Pam) Wright of Walker, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Wright of Davidson, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Colleen Wright of Charlevoix, Mich.; a sister-in-law, Doris Rose Johnson of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two brothers, Bruce Wright and Byron Wright.

Services are to be held at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2015. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until service time. A private burial will be held in Zeigler.

Donations may be made in Ruth's honor to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, Ill. 62959.